Feb. 19, 2016

By Jake Maier ’17

Danielle Margheret is a junior breaststroker from Solon, Ohio. The two-time monogram winner leads a talented corps of breaststrokers for the Irish, and looks to be a key racer in this week’s Atlantic Coast Conference Championship meet.

Q: Why did you choose Notre Dame?

A: “It’s the best University in the world. Its well rounded, it gives you the full college experience and has a great community. It’s really the best of all worlds. The academics, athletics, and people here are all amazing.”

Q: You swam in the US Olympic Trials in 2012, what are your plans for the 2016 Olympic Trials?

A: “The trials in 2012 was a great experience, but my mom couldn’t make it to the meet because she had just finished her chemotherapy treatments. This summer I want to go back to the trials and swim for my mom.”

Q: You were a two-sport athlete in high school, playing soccer at Walsh Jesuit High School alongside current Notre Dame standout Sandra Yu; what made you choose swimming over soccer?

A: “It was actually a very difficult decision. In the fall of my sophomore year of high school back in 2010, my soccer team won the ESPN National Championship which made me want to pursue soccer. Later that year, during the winter, I dropped almost 4 seconds in the 100 breaststroke, and eventually won the State Championship and was named the most valuable swimmer of the meet. After that I began to swim year round and I qualified for the Olympic Trials in only the second long course race I’d ever swum. The next fall I had to decide between soccer tryouts and the Speedo Junior National Championships and I decided that it would be better to pursue swimming.”

Q: What position did you play in soccer?

A: “I was a center-midfielder and a goalkeeper. I like playing center-mid because it’s the most creative position and you are involved in the game at times.”

Q: Your mother and father always travel to watch you swim, what kind of inspiration do they bring for you?

A: “My mom and dad have always been my biggest fans since I was little. They are my biggest role models and taught me so much. My parents are the strongest people I know and I hope to grow up to be just like them. They constantly remind me to be happy and do what I love. I’m always happy to look up and see them in the stands.”

Q: You recently sang the National Anthem at the Shamrock Invitational, tell me about some of your musical talents.

A: “I started singing in the church choir at home when I was in 6th grade and became a cantor at mass. In middle school I was in a musical. Singing really relaxes me, I love singing in my free time. Singing is a big part of my life, I really want to do something with it in the future, I’m just not sure what I will do with it yet.”

Q: Which Disney Princess are you most like?

A: “Rapunzel, Tangled is one of my favorite movies, I feel like I can relate to her because I am very happy go-lucky, enthusiastic and easily entertained. I also sing to myselfââ’¬¦.”

Q: Which of the seven dwarfs best describes you?

A: *takes online quiz* “I’m Dopey, it says that nothing gets me down, and I manage to avoid drama and wander through my days befuddled and joyous. Apparently I have easygoing vibes. It says ignorance is bliss.”